Riding the waves: the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on a national surgical training cohort

• DOI: 10.1007/s11845-021-02739-4
• Publication Date: 2021-08-27T22:02:36Z
• Authors: Orla Hennessy; Amy Lee Fowler; Conor Hennessy; David Brinkman; Aisling Hogan; Emmeline Nugent; Myles Joyce
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

Abstract Background The World Health Organisation declared a global pandemic on the 11 March 2020 resulting in implementation of methods to contain viral spread, including curtailment all elective and non-emergent interventions. Many institutions have experienced changes rostering practices redeployment trainees non-surgical services. Examinations, study days, courses, conferences been cancelled. These potential significantly impact education training surgical trainees. Aim To investigate COVID-19 training, educational, operative experiences Irish Methods Surgical were surveyed anonymously regarding working educational since declaration 2020. survey was circulated May both core higher RCSI trainees, when restrictions at level five. Questions included previous current access sessions as well cases, activities, senior-led simulation-/practical-based methods. A repeat carried out October two. Results Overall, primary secondary response rates 29% ( n = 98/340) 19.1% 65/340), respectively. At time circulation second survey, number attended cases performed had improved numbers pre-pandemic p < 0.0001). Exposure formal teaching returned pre-COVID levels Initially, 23% an examination cancelled; 53% these subsequently sat examinations. Of note 27.7% courses cancelled, 97% not rescheduled. Conclusion impacted light COVID-19. This is likely continue fluctuate line with subsequent waves. Significant efforts be made enable meet targets.